9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
It has been said that if you ask 1000 people what love is you are likely to come up with 1001 different answers. Does it not stand to reason that if God is love and He has a book out, should we consider perhaps what God says love is?
According to Websters 1828 the word sincere is defined as follows:
1Cor. 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
1. Pure; unmixed.When we love like this it is sincere. Learning to love like this will take a lifetime. However if we learn to empty ourselves and be led by His Spirit we can love sincerely now, in the moment and consistently.
2. Unhurt; uninjured.
3. Being in reality what it appears to be; not feigned; not simulated; not assumed or said for the sake of appearance; real; not hypocritical or pretended. This is the present use of the word. Let your intentions be pure and your declarations sincere. Let love and friendship be sincere. No prayer can avail with a heart-searching God, unless it is sincere.
APPLICATION
To actively deny self and allow the Spirit to lead the thoughts and intents of my heart. Trusting that I will have the mind of Christ and love others with sincerity.
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